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From: donn@sdchema.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: net.pinko
Message-ID: <1108@sdchema.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 6-Apr-84 04:12:02 EST
Article-I.D.: sdchema.1108
Posted: Fri Apr  6 04:12:02 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 7-Apr-84 05:42:14 EST
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Organization: Used Softwear Jobbers, Inc. (Clandestine Computer Services)
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Dick Schoenling at ITT has some things to say in defense of his company:

	We make telecommunication systems(finest kind!), not Latin
	governments...

ITT most certainly does its best to influence foreign governments.
What it wants them to do is buy telecommunications equipment, of course
(and perhaps the odd Twinkie or Sheraton Hotel).  This makes ITT little
different from Philips, Hughes and any number of large multinational
corporations, and there is nothing illegal or immoral about trying to
sell products.  However...

Having lived overseas and having had direct contact with overseas ITT
employees, I know that some ITT employees are not above rewarding
potential native customers with generous kickbacks when contracts are
going to be granted.  Frequently this happens without the knowledge of
the home company; also frequently it is bungled, because these
employees may be stupid enough to hand money over before the contract
comes through.  When it means a big sale, an employee may be tempted to
take major risks and try and play games by favoring one clique over
another.  Often ITT ends up losing money when this happens.

Such rampant foolishness is allowed by the parent company because it
usually hasn't the foggiest idea what is happening out there.  (And
sometimes it does, too -- but don't give the headquarters too much
credit for such deep thinking.) The incompetent employees get their
jobs because company headquarters simply doesn't know how to find and
retain qualified people.  In this the large multinational is very much
like a large government.

	If you have evidence of any association between ITT Corp. & its
	numerous subsidiaries, let's see it.

You couldn't have phrased my complaint any better, although I'm sure
you didn't mean what you appear to say.  When I was in contact with it,
I was sure that ITT had to be the most disorganized and bureaucratic
excuse for a company the world had ever seen.  Now I'm less certain --
I think there may be other cases just as sad.  Corruption is a side
effect of a company's bigness; managers become ward heelers, VPs are
Mayor Daleys.  There is always ample room for incompetence to hide.

	On the other hand,  if you just hate money and big business,
	why not form your own net.pinko so that you and other cretins
	can discuss it!

Why, there's no need for a 'net.pinko' when we can all bask in RED,
RED, flames,

Donn Seeley    UCSD Chemistry Dept.       ucbvax!sdcsvax!sdchema!donn